NFL Draft: Top 5 tight end prospects for Cincinnati Bengals

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Tight end O.J. Howard #88 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs to the end zone after making a 68-yard touchdown reception during the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Tight end O.J. Howard #88 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs to the end zone after making a 68-yard touchdown reception during the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

While tight end isn’t atop the list of positions where the Cincinnati Bengals need immediate help, there are a couple of things to consider.

The first, of course, is Tyler Eifert’s injury history and the fact that he is going into the final year of his contract. The second element to the equation is how potent the offense could be with another big, playmaking tight end on the field at the same time.

It’s been 11 years since a tight end went in the top nine picks (Vernon Davis, sixth), but Alabama’s O.J. Howard could be the player to break that streak. If he’s still there for the Bengals at No. 9, he’ll warrant some serious thought.

Here’s a look at Howard and four of the other top tight end prospects this year:

Follow Jay Morrison on Twitter

O.J. Howard, Alabama

At 6-foot-6, 251 pounds with speed, Howard is a matchup nightmare the same way Tyler Eifert is, so the idea of putting both of them out there at the same time, along with A.J. Green, could make a Bengals team that struggled to finish drives last year a juggernaut in the red zone.

First-round tight ends are an anomaly in the NFL, except in Cincinnati. Only three tight ends have gone in the first round in the last seven drafts, and two of them – Jermaine Gresham and Eifert – landed in Cincinnati.

The Bengals certainly have more pressing needs, but they have always followed the best player available philosophy, and Howard has all the physical tools to be an all-pro, although some scouts question his motor and whether he actually loves the game.

PREVIOUS POSITION PREVIEWS:

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 10: David Njoku #86 of the Miami Hurricanes catches the ball during first quarter actin against the Florida Atlantic Owls on September 10, 2016 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.(Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

icon to expand image
icon to close expanded image

David Njoku, Miami

The latest in a line of successful tight ends to play for the Hurricanes, Njoku is a 6-4, 246-pound specimen who was a 7-foot high jumper in high school.

He’s still a bit raw after playing just two seasons at Miami, but most scouts have him targeted for late in the first round, which probably takes him out of play for the Bengals unless they trade back.

He lined up outside, in the slot and end-line and did a lot of his damage after the catch.

RELATED: Mock Draft 2.0 has Bengals looking at defense

OXFORD, MS - NOVEMBER 05: Evan Engram #17 of the Mississippi Rebels runs with the ball as Jessie Liptrot #30 of the Georgia Southern Eagles defends during the first half of a game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

icon to expand image
icon to close expanded image

Evan Engram, Mississippi

One year after the Rebels lost Laquon Treadwell (Vikings) and Cody Core (Bengals) to the NFL, Engram led one of the SEC’s No. 1 pass offense in receptions (65), receiving yards (926) and receiving touchdowns (eight).

Teams won’t be able to gamble by putting linebackers on the 6-3, 234-pound Engram. They’ll have to use defensive backs. In addition to his speed, Engram has scouts raving about his hands and catch radius.

Most of the knocks against him are fundamental, X-and-O type of issues that an NFL coaching staff should be able to clean up. He’s projected to go late first round or early second round, which puts him in the Bengals wheelhouse at No. 41.

MORE: 7 players the Bengals could draft at No. 9

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: Ashland tight end Adam Shaheen answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on March 3, 2017 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

icon to expand image
icon to close expanded image

Adam Shaheen, Ashland

Shaheen will be the highest drafted player to come out of Ashland as long as he goes somewhere in the first 227 picks, which is a virtual certainty.

The 6-6, 278-pounder signed a Division II basketball scholarship out of high school before transferring to Ashland to play football, where he got off to a slow start before setting a Division II record for tight ends with 70 receptions last year.

He’ll be a project as a blocker, having gone against such inferior competition the last three years, but sheer size and above-average speed offer tons of upside for a team willing to write his name down, likely somewhere in the second round.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:Like our Cincinnati Bengals News Now Facebook page

LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 12: Tight end Gerald Everett #12 of the South Alabama Jaguars tries to elude defensive back Byerson Cockrell #28 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during their game at Memorial Stadium on September 12, 2015 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images)

icon to expand image
icon to close expanded image

Gerald Everett, South Alabama

Like Shaheen, the 6-3, 239-pound Everett has a basketball background. After playing just one year of high school football, Everett went to a community college before transferring to UAB, which disbanded its program one year after he arrived.

He transferred to South Alabama and was a two-team, first team all-league pick with 90 catches for 1,292 yards and 12 touchdowns in his two seasons.

While scouts knock him for poor route running, he has great physical tools and is impressive as a blocker. He’s likely to last until late in the second round or early in the third, and it will be interesting to see whether he goes before the much more accomplished yet injured (ACL in bowl game) Jake Butt, of Michigan.

About the Author